IOBridge as Thermostat

[tuma0650]

I have been trying to use my IOBridge to control the heat in my garage workshop.  My garage is about 100 feet from my house.  I was able to successfully set up a wireless bridge  http://www.iobridge.net/forum/index.php/topic,607.0.html.  I am using the onboard Actions and Events to use my module as a thermostat.  I have it set up like this:

the problem I am having is that my module is either receiving stray signals or there is to much variance in the temperature.  The unit calls for heat and then I can hear the relay clicking on an off and on an off again while the heater is running.  I am using a relay on channel 4.  The relay is actually switching between two analog thermostats.  One is set for a failsafe high temperature and one is set for a failsafe low temperature.  It looks like I could add a pulse count to act a as a timer, but I was hoping it would not be that complicated.

[jason]

You could try using a Periodic Rule that checks once every 30 seconds or so instead of a Standard Rule that fires continuously.

Another option is to add some mass to the temperature probe tip.  Thermistors are purposely designed with the lowest mass possible to make them very responsive (less mass to heat/cool).  In your case, it might be a little too responsive.  One possibility it to clamp a small fishing weight onto the tip of the probe.  Of course if the problem is related to electrical noise, this trick won't help much. 

[tuma0650]

Thanks,
I like the Periodic Rule idea, I will give that a try.   I thought of the idea to apply some kind of thermal mass to the probe, I like the idea better by combining it with the Periodic Rule.  I'll post my results.

[tuma0650]

I have a question,
Do the variable values cross periodic rules?  Can I have a periodic rule that turns the heat on every 120 seconds and stets variable A to 1 and then turns on the heat.  And then have another periodic rule that runs every 6 minutes and turns off the heat if it is up to temperature and variable A = 1?

[jason]

The variables can be "seen" by any of the other rules, even rules for different I/O channels.

I'm pretty sure the scenario you suggest would work.  But you'll need to add somethings that sets A to zero again.